New DElhi: An Indian Armed Forces contingent comprising 65 personnel departed on 9th September 2025 for the Mulino Training Ground in Nizhniy, Russia, to participate in the multilateral joint military exercise ZAPAD 2025, scheduled from 10th to 16th September 2025. The contingent is composed of 57 Indian Army personnel led by a battalion of the Kumaon Regiment, complemented by 7 personnel from the Indian Air Force and 1 from the Indian Navy.
Enhancing Interoperability and Tactical Excellence
Exercise ZAPAD 2025 is designed to enhance military cooperation, improve interoperability, and provide a platform for participating armies to share tactics, techniques, and procedures especially in conventional warfare and counter-terrorism operations. The exercise focuses on joint company level operations in open and plain terrain, encompassing missions such as joint planning, tactical drills, and special arms skills. This multinational environment offers an invaluable opportunity to hone joint operational capabilities and integrate emerging technologies.
Multinational Participation and Diplomatic Significance
The exercise includes over 20 countries with India, Russia, and Belarus as lead participants, and several nations participating as observers, including China and Pakistan, making it a platform of high diplomatic and strategic importance. Notably, this is the first time since Operation Sindoor that Indian and Pakistani forces participate in the same military exercise, although in different contingents. The event reinforces the spirit of collaboration and mutual trust between India and Russia, deepening longstanding defense ties.
Context of India’s Broader Military Engagement
ZAPAD 2025 forms part of a series of joint and multinational exercises India undertakes to strengthen preparedness and cooperation. Concurrently, Indian troops are also participating in Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2025 with the United States, highlighting India’s diversifying strategic partnerships.The ZAPAD drills underscore Russia’s strategic messaging to NATO and neighbors, with the 2025 edition involving nuclear training elements and advanced missile systems by host countries Russia and Belarus.
Conclusion: Indian Armed Forces
India’s participation in Exercise ZAPAD 2025 symbolizes a vital facet of its military diplomacy and operational readiness, fostering camaraderie, technological integration, and multinational cooperation, thereby contributing to regional and global security architectures.
For more real-time updates, visit Channel 6 Network.
Source: PIB
